Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1000

Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1000

Acoustic guitars come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and with all sorts of sounds.

It’s important, when you’re shopping for one, to make sure that you buy the right guitar for you. The instrument your best friend’s uncle raves about might not suit your fingerpicking style, or your small frame.

If you have a budget of $1,000, you really do have a lot of options available! We’ve filtered through what’s out there, and put together a list of the top 10 acoustic guitars in your price range, with details about what makes them a cut above the rest.

Buyers’ Tips: Things To Look For When Buying An Acoustic Guitar Under $1000

$1,000 is quite a lot of money! And you really can afford to be fussy when you’re spending that.

If you’re a rocky player, you’ll be looking for a guitar with a cutaway – so that you can reach the high frets – and included electronics so that you can rock out on stage without hassle.

If you’re more interested in achieving a warm, ringing sound, you might prefer one with a larger body, so a dreadnought shape is likely to be the right one for you.

Solid Spruce tops are always something to look out for, as they offer a higher resonance as well as a greater longevity than Spruce tops.

Rosewood fretboards are always smooth on the fingers and warm in sound, and Mahogany is the wood of choice for achieving a rich sound.

So, now you know what you’re looking out for, let’s take a look at our top 10 in a bit more detail!

Fender CN-320AS

Sound:

(5.0 / 5)

Build:

(5.0 / 5)

Value:

(4.5 / 5)

Average:

(4.8 / 5)

We included one classical on this list as it really is a beauty. Fender are more well known for their electric guitars, but this little classical is a well made, pretty sounding acoustic which is easy to play and extremely reliable. It holds its tune well and has excellent intonation, and it has Rosewood back and sides which give it a warm sound that rings well.

Solid Cedar top with Rosewood back and sides gives it warmth and resonance

Stylish, vintage Fender rosette design.

Cons:

It’s less suitable for more rocky playing.

There’s no electric option.

It might seem a bit small to those with a larger frame.

Taylor 214CE 200

Sound:

(5.0 / 5)

Build:

(5.0 / 5)

Value:

(4.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.7 / 5)

Taylor again! With another top quality product. It’s a little more pricey than the 114, but it is also made of higher quality woods: Koa and Mahogany, and it both looks and sounds sublime. It’s light in weight and bright in sound, and perfect for fingerpicking. There’s also an electric option, for those who have a need to plug in.

Pros:

Includes high quality electrics, so you can perform professionally on stage with this instrument.

Solid Sikta Spruce top gives it superior resonance.

Cutaway makes it easy to reach those high frets!

Cons:

You might want to change the strings before you can fully enjoy this guitar.

Though its brightness makes it great for finger picking, strummers might prefer something a little warmer.

There’s no tuner included.

Yamaha L Series LL16M

Sound:

(5.0 / 5)

Build:

(4.0 / 5)

Value:

(5.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.7 / 5)

This guitar – which comes with a case, making it even better value – features ‘Acoustic Resonance Enhancement’ to ensure that it really rings! It’s well built and stable, and includes a high quality passive pick up for an easier than ever live playing experience. The body feels substantial, and it’s a smooth instrument to play. You won’t be disappointed with the feel or the sound of this.

High quality passive pick up included to enable a great on-stage sound without the need for batteries.

Die-cast chrome tuners and a 5-ply Mahogany and Rosewood neck give it good tuning stability.

Cons:

The passive pick-up means there is no volume control on the guitar.

Dreadnought shape makes it tricky to reach higher frets.

Not quite as high quality as some of the higher end guitars in this list.

Ovation Standard Balladeer 2771AX

Sound:

(5.0 / 5)

Build:

(4.5 / 5)

Value:

(4.5 / 5)

Average:

(4.7 / 5)

This striking instrument is another of those love / hate ones. Whether its looks appeal to you or not, this guitar has a sound that you can’t argue with. The solid spruce top gives it a superior resonance and the cutaway gives you easy access to those high frets. It includes strap buttons and electronics, so standing up and plugging in with this are easy to do, and indeed what it seems this guitar is designed for.

Pros:

Solid spruce top gives it resonance.

Very good looking and a striking colour.

Includes a pre-amp, for ease of on-stage performance.

Cons:

The style might not appeal to everybody.

To get the most out of this guitar, you’ll need to plug it into an amp.

The body is a little thin, so it produces less volume than some other acoustic guitars.

Simon & Patrick Woodland Pro

Sound:

(4.5 / 5)

Build:

(4.5 / 5)

Value:

(4.5 / 5)

Average:

(4.5 / 5)

The substantial Simon & Patrick is a solid-feeling instrument with a Solid Spruce top and solid wood body. The fretboard is Rosewood, which makes it smooth and silky, and the largeness of the body gives it an authoritative reverberation. It sounds great, and will suit the larger players amongst you just perfectly.

Pros:

Solid spruce top, Mahogany back and neck and Rosewood fretboard make it a warm sounding guitar.

It’s very smooth to play.

It comes set up with a low action and no fret-buzz.

Cons:

Dreadnought shape makes it tricky to reach the higher frets.

It’s a bit bulky.

There’s no plug-in option here, so recording or performing with it will involve mic-ing up.

Taylor 114ce 100 Series

Sound:

(5.0 / 5)

Build:

(4.0 / 5)

Value:

(4.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.3 / 5)

Taylor have an excellent reputation, for excellent reason. The 114ce lives up to their name, as it is made from Solid Sikta Spruce giving it a bright ringing resonance. It has a thin neck which feels smooth to play, and there are electronics included for those who wish to plug in. This guitar makes the notes you play ring beautifully.

Pros:

Solid Sikta Spruce top gives it a superior resonance.

Cutaway makes it easy to reach the higher frets.

High quality electronics enable a great on-stage sound.

Cons:

There’s no tuner fitted into this guitar.

It’s quite heavy.

Tuning is not stable in fluctuating temperatures.

Schecter 3701 Synyster Gates

Sound:

(4.5 / 5)

Build:

(4.5 / 5)

Value:

(4.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.3 / 5)

Attention metal heads! The ‘Synyster Gates’ electro-acoustic is exactly what you have been looking for. This guitar sounds smooth, rich and deep, thanks to its Mahogany neck and Rosewood fretboard, and it plays smoothly, too. The looks are out-of-this world. It’s an acoustic guitar, but it has heavy metal attitude all over it! There is, of course, a cutaway, giving you easy access to the high frets, and… get this! The cutaway is spiky! There are also skull decorations in the fretboard, and the headstock is kind of like devil horns. It comes in black, obviously.

Pros:

The Rosewood fretboard on a Mahogany neck makes it smooth and rich-sounding.

It looks really cool and will grab the attention of heavy metal players more than any other acoustic will!

There’s a pickup included, with a built in tuner, so you can get on stage with it right away.

Cons:

The style won’t appeal to everybody.

You’ll need to get a case separately.

There’s no pick guard, so you’re likely to damage the cool looking body.

Martin Road Series DRS1

Sound:

(4.0 / 5)

Build:

(4.0 / 5)

Value:

(5.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.3 / 5)

This full bodied dreadnought sounds like it looks. Warm, consistent and smooth. It feels that way to play, too. Like the Simon & Patrick, it’s well suited to larger players, and its dreadnought shape means you really can project your sound, even unplugged. An added benefit of this beast/beauty (we’re not sure) is that it comes with a hard case! As if it wasn’t great value already!

Pros:

The large body gives a deep, generous sound.

Solid Sapele top, back and sides gives it a stunning resonance.

Includes a hard case, making it even better value for money.

Cons:

The dreadnought shape can make it difficult to reach the higher frets.

It’s a bit large, so might not suit those with a smaller frame.

You might not like electric sound as much as the acoustic sound with its included pick-up. However, this can be replaced if it is the case.

Alvarez MPA66 Masterworks Parlor

Sound:

(4.5 / 5)

Build:

(4.5 / 5)

Value:

(4.0 / 5)

Average:

(4.3 / 5)

This modest-sized guitar is something you’d be proud to have on a stand in your living room. It oozes style, class and sophistication, and it sounds like all of those things, too. The solid wood body offers not only great resonance but superior longevity, and the choice of wood: Mahogany gives it a warmth that complements the ‘Shadowburst’ finish perfectly. It’s a lovely guitar for playing acoustic music on, and it’s a true pleasure to play.

Pros:

Solid Mahogany body and neck, with a Rosewood fretboard make this guitar play smooth and sound warm.

Comes with a hard case!

Includes strap buttons on the body – guitars in this style don’t always have that feature.

Cons:

It’s less suitable for more rocky playing.

Although it looks like a classical style guitar, it’s technically still an acoustic and the strings are all steel.

It might seem a bit small to those with a larger frame.

Epiphone EECBMANH3

Sound:

(4 / 5)

Build:

(4 / 5)

Value:

(4 / 5)

Average:

(4 / 5)

This stylish, original looking instrument is one that you’ll either love or hate. It has a distinctive look and its sound is irresistible. Though it is small, it rings perfectly and its Mahogany body, back and neck gives it a consistent warmth. This guitar includes high quality electronics, so you can plug in, no problem.

Pros:

Small, stylish-looking guitar: easy on the eye and the ear.

The body’s made of laminated mahogany, giving it a warm sound.

There’s an included pre-amp and tuner, so you can get on stage with this, no problem.

Cons:

It might seem a bit too small for those used to large acoustic guitars.

The mahogany is laminated, which means it can wear over time.

The thin neck might not suit every player.

Our Favourite?

We love all of these guitars, for different reasons, and there really is no one of them that is inherently better than the rest.

However, we have picked a favourite. Our number one, due to its versatility, sound quality and playability, is the Taylor 214CE 200. This guitar sounds great thanks to its solid spruce top, and it also has a cutaway and includes high quality electronics, making it irresistible in our eyes (and ears).

If you’re a heavy metal fan, the brilliantly named Schecter 3701 Synyster Gates will be the obvious, great choice for you. Contrarily, if you lean on the classical side, the well built, beautiful Fender CN-320AS is the obvious choice.

Whichever of these beauties you decide is the right one for you to buy, we know you’re going to love it!

About me

I'm Roz, an enthusiastic musician who believes that we are all multi-instrumentalists!
Equipping others with the information and confidence they need to be lifelong musicians – and lifelong learners – is my passion, and I enjoy teaching a variety of music lessons to all ages.

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